Hawthorn Avenue
We got our first telephone in the early 60's. Prior to that calls to family were made by arrangement from the public call box around the corner. Unfortunately, the phone was placed opposite the toilet, which was behind the front door. You didn't want to get trapped in the toilet when someone was talking either at the front door or on the phone. We were the first family in the road to have a te
Household appliances advancing. This single tub washing machine made life a lot easier compared to the old boiler. The hose had to be put onto the tap and water was then heated in the tub. The washing was then automatically agitated in the tub before being put through the wringer (which was turned by hand) to take out the water. Clean water would then put into the tub and the washing lifted
In early 1970's we bought a fully automatic, top loading washing machine. Rachael loved it and clothes would disappear before you could put them on to "make up a load".
A second TV channel was introduced in the late 50's but you needed a new television so we did not get it until the 60's. Televisions were expensive and companies were set up to rent and maintain television sets. The new channel was dependent on advertising revenue. It showed a number of American programmes including a cowboy show called Rawhide which introduced Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Yates.
Most probably our most favourite acquisition the Dansette record player. We had a vast collection of singles, EP's and LP's covering Scottish, folk, country & western and pop. When Rachael's sister Marjorie and family moved to nearby Coulsdon they would frequently visit on a Saturday evening and we would watch the White Heather Club (see on YouTube) and listen, dance and sing to Scottish recor
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Over time John would make a number of improvements to the house including digging out a drive . As the children grew up they too would get cars all of which could be parked on the drive. Rachael's cousin, Jimmy Fraser, made gates for the drive and these are now at Bobbie and Maggie's house in Bardwell. Refurbished by Tom.